Towing and Impoundment
COVID-19 Update:
Out of a concern for the health of our community and to limit exposure, the Portland Police Bureau is changing the way it releases vehicles after a vehicle was ordered to be towed by PPB. PPB is temporarily suspending the practice of requiring vehicle owners to obtain a release by PPB prior to obtaining their vehicle from the tow companies. PPB is also temporarily suspending the $150 administrative fee that is collected when PPB tows a vehicle because it is a traffic hazard, for safekeeping, or when its alarm is continuously sounding.
While vehicle owners will still have to go to a towing company to retrieve their vehicle, this suspension eliminates the need for vehicle owners to travel to PPB Central Precinct to obtain a vehicle release. This temporary suspension will remain in effect for the duration of Governor Brown’s “Stay Home, Save Lives” order. Tow companies may still charge fees for towing and storage and this does not apply to vehicles who have been towed for other reasons and unrelated to PPB.
Portland Police Bureau will notify vehicle owners via phone (when possible) and letter if their vehicle has been towed, along with information on how the owner can recover their vehicle directly from the tow company.
For information relevant to you, click the appropriate response below.
I was notified that my vehicle has been impounded for the following reason:
- Public Safety
- Hazard
- Safekeeping
- Alarm Disturbance, per City Code
- Possible Stolen
- VIN Inspection
- Evidence
- Forfeiture
Parking Patrol Tows – Call 503-823-0044
Abandoned Vehicle – Call 503-823-7309
Vehicle towed from private property (like a parking lot) – Call 503-823-0044
Tag Warrants – Multiple unpaid parking tickets – Call 503-988-3235
My reason is not on this list – Call 503-823-0044
Obtaining Your Towed Vehicle
Please Read Carefully: If you do not follow these steps, you will be refused service. You must:
- Provide valid, current identification with signature and photo (such as a valid driver’s license).
- Proof of ownership. Towed vehicles will only be released to the person whose name currently appears on the DMV records.
- Proof of operator’s license. You must present a VALID operator’s license. (If you live in another state but have had your Oregon driving privileges suspended or revoked, SEE NEXT)
- If you do not have a valid operator’s license, you must bring a companion with a valid operator’s license with you to the Portland Police Bureau. This companion will need to be present at the tow lot to drive the vehicle, or you must bring a tow truck driver operator with a VALID operator’s license with you to obtain the vehicle release. The tow truck operator will tow the vehicle from the tow lot.
- Payment options: Money orders and cashier checks must be for the exact amount of the transaction. PERSONAL CHECKS and TRAVELER’S CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
RVS Storage Facility
If your vehicle was towed for Evidence or Forfeiture, it was towed to RVS Storage Facility.
You must obtain your release from:
Central Precinct in the Justice Center Lobby
1111 SW 2nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM
Saturday 8AM-4PM
Closed Sunday and City of Portland Holidays
To obtain information on releasing your vehicle call: 503-823-0044.
RVS Storage Facility
Vehicles released by appointment only
Closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday and City of Portland Holidays
In order to obtain a release for your vehicle, you must APPEAR IN PERSON at the Portland Police Bureau.
You may request a hearing to contest the validity of this tow. To request a hearing you must submit a Tow Hearing Request Form. You may obtain this form in-person at the Hearings Office or online at: http://www.portlandonline.com/auditor/index.cfm?c=26645&a=204931 The hearing request must be received by the Tow Hearings Officer no later than 10 days after the vehicle was towed. Send your hearing request to:
Tow Hearings Office
1900 SW 4th, Avenue, Room 3100
Portland, OR 97201
Phone 503-823-7307
Fax 503-823-4347
Recovering Your Towed Vehicle
Please Read Carefully. If you do not follow these steps, you will be refused service. You must:
- Provide valid, current identification with signature and photo (such as a valid driver’s license).
- Provide proof of insurance. Valid insurance papers must include effective dates listing the impounded vehicle and the registered owner’s name .
- Proof of ownership. Towed vehicles will only be released to the person whose name currently appears on the DMV records.
- Proof of operator’s license. You must present a VALID operator’s license. (If you live in another state but have had your Oregon driver’s license suspended or revoked, SEE NEXT)
- If you do not have a valid operator’s license, you must bring a companion with a valid operator’s license with you to the Portland Police Bureau. This companion will need to be present at the tow lot to drive the vehicle, or you must bring a tow truck driver operator with a VALID operator’s license with you to obtain the vehicle release. The tow truck operator will tow the vehicle from the tow lot.
If your vehicle was towed because you didn’t have liability insurance, you must present the following:
- A motor vehicle liability insurance policy on the impounded vehicle; or
- A bond approved by a judge of a court of record in this state; or
- A deposit with the State Treasurer; or
- A self-insurance certificate issued by Oregon DMV.
- Proof of insurance must include:
- Register owner’s name;
- Name of Insurance company;
- Effective dates of the policy; and
- The vehicle identification number (VIN) of the impounded vehicle.
- Payment options: Cash (No bills larger than $50.00) and VISA/MC. Money orders and cashier checks must be for the exact amount of the transaction. PERSONAL CHECKS and TRAVELER’S CHECKS ARE NOT ACCEPTED.
Portland Police Bureau
1111 SW 2nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Hours of Operation
Monday-Friday 7AM-7PM Saturday 8AM-4PM
Closed Sundays and City of Portland Holidays
To obtain information on releasing your vehicle call: 503-823-0044
FEES: If vehicle is towed to a PRIVATE CONTRACTED TOW LOT, the owner must pay the administrative fees to the Portland Police Bureau and the towing and storage fee to the PRIVATE CONTRACTED TOW LOT.
Fees |
Amount |
Public Safety |
$150.00 |
Hazard |
$150.00 |
Safekeeping |
$150.00 |
Alarm Disturbance, per City Code |
$150.00 |
Possible Stolen & Vin Inspection towed vehicles do not incur an administrative fee
Acceptable forms of payment: Cash (no bills larger than $50), Money Orders, Cashiers Check, Visa and Master Card.
In order to obtain a release for your vehicle, you must APPEAR IN PERSON at the Portland Police Bureau Records Division.
Central Precinct in the Justice Center Lobby
1111 SW 2nd Avenue
Portland, OR 97204
Public Hours:
7 AM – 7 PM Monday through Friday
8 AM – 4 PM Saturday
Closed Sunday and City of Portland Holidays
Vehicle will be subject to sale if not claimed within 15 days after the first day of storage.
Any owner of a vehicle towed by the City of Portland or TriMet may request a hearing to contest the tow. To ask for a hearing, you must complete and submit a Tow Hearing Request Form. Forms may be obtained at the Hearings Office or online at PortlandOregon.gov/auditor/hearings. The request must be received by the Tow Hearings Office within ten days of the tow. Hearings are not available for vehicles towed for unpaid parking tickets.
Send your hearing request to:
Tow Hearings Office
1900 SW 4th
Avenue, Room 3100
Portland, OR 97201
Phone 503-823-7307
Fax 503-823-4347